The High Court ruling that Planning Policy Statement 14 (PPS14 ) was unlawful has been welcomed by politicians from all the main parties in Fermanagh.

Fermanagh District Council, Sinn Féin Chairperson on Planning, Councillor Bernice Swift stated: "I welcome the decision, it's a step in the right direction.

"The judgement has thrown out PPS14, and said that the then Minister Lord Rooker had no authority to make such a policy decision. This anti-rural dictate not only completely contravened regional development policy and strategy, it also ignored contradictory Departmental advice and failed in terms of carrying out a proper consultation. Councillor Swift said that with PPS14, Lord Rooker had imposed what amounted to a permanent moratorium on development in rural areas.

"The big question for me now as Chair of Planning in Fermanagh, what will now happen to all the decisions refusals that have been given to PPS14.

"Obviously, it's early to say anything at this stage. However, Planning Service must review the applications processed under this 'unlawful' legislation and provide a properly staffed and resourced Department to deal with all those decisions which will not be bureaucratic but practical and efficient."

UUP MLA, Tom Elliott also welcomed the decision to overturn the controversial PPS 14 ruling: "I always felt that Lord Rooker's decision to impose PPS 14 was akin to using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. It was an affront to rural communities and an insult to local government decision makers who ultimately have their areas best interests at heart," he said.

"Nobody", he suggested, " wants to see a mushrooming of properties in our countryside but, equally, imposing an effective blanket ban is no solution. The right balance has to be struck and this proposal did not offer any balance. We want to protect the countryside from random and unsightly development whilst allowing for sustainable development and the enrichment of rural communities. Many are already feeling isolated as it is with school and post office closures. It is not the process that needs a remedy, it's the policy. Northern Ireland is crying out for a sensible rural planning policy, and the sooner this is achieved the better," concluded Mr Elliott.

Tommy Gallagher, the SDLP's Environment spokesperson, described the ruling of the judicial review as a victory for common sense: "It also highlights the injustice that was inflicted on people in rural areas. Firstly now, the Department of Regional Development together with the Planning Service will have to re-open all of those applications that were refused under PPS14. There are also many other people who have been considering making applications but were awaiting the outcome of this Review. They will be submitting applications now".